It took me some time to be able to write this story, but being here in Singapore and not seeing her at the airport made me finally realise that this was not just a bad dream. 

Meet was one of the first persons I talked to at the beginning of my second year of master in Glasgow. I was about to go back home as I had no idea where the rest of the LLM was meeting next, but she saw me and told me: "I don't know either, but let's find out together!" At the end of the day, she invited some people for a glass of wine and I immediately knew we were going to get along :)

She also took me in when I had nowhere to go in Glasgow and we spent the first lockdown together. We talked about our uncertain future, our past, Scottish guys, the essays we had write, we cooked, drank wine and whisky and watched father Brown.

She always made sure I was safe and sound, and I started to call her my UK mom (although, as she said, this was ruining her street cred!). She was so caring and generous to everyone.

She told me so much about Singapore that I had to come and, back in August, I finally set the date for January 2023. She was telling me about all the things we were going to visit, but more importantly all the restaurants we were going to eat at :) I also wanted my mom to meet my UK mom, as I knew they were going to get along. Unfortunately, that did not happen but I can see now why she loved Singapore so much, it's vibrant, like she was. 

I miss you but I know you are in peace, and I will always keep a special place for you in my heart.  

My dear friend of more than half my life, today, I sent you off into new adventures without me. No more chances to perfect our wefies. Thank you for the decades of friendship, unconditional support generosity, patience, laughter and bitching. You’ve lived a very full life, on your own terms. You have earned your rest. I will remember your exhortation to “carpe diem”. Until we meet again on the other side. (You can tell me, “I told you so”).

It’s not very long that we exchanged messages on our next get together in coming week and you decided no to show up now :( (you always show up).

Evening of 1st Dec when after party everyone left and it’s only 2 of us who were there on that ground , so deep in our conversation about your life, I learnt bit more about “how strong you were”, thanks for trusting. Can never forget how much you cared for people around, taking things strongly and with a smile always

Wish I could tell you one last time that Meet , let’s meet on 12th Jan , will invite Sharon and we three will talk from noon till night.

Meet, I will miss you !!

My heart broke on the evening of 6 Jan 2023 when I found out about Meet's passing. She was my sister from another mother and we've known each other for more than 35 years of our lives. 

She was part of my family, as we were a part of hers; always there for birthday celebrations, graduations, new jobs, festive makans, concerts, holidays abroad. In fact, we've booked tickets to watch One Republic next month...

She was the life of the party, always sociable, friendly, cheerful and humorous. She was our Dancing Queen. 

My life will be forever changed due to your absence. I just cannot remember a time when you were never around, except on the two occasions when you were away in the UK doing your studies. 

My last text with you was on Thursday 5 Jan. My dear sister, if only we had met...

Rest in peace, Meet. We love you and you will be missed. 

'What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we deeply love becomes a part of us.'

From Rash, Lin, Mikhail & Marsya

To me, Meet was a second mother. No birthday celebration was complete without her - of course not forgetting a glass of wine. To the younger me, she was the aunt that always spoiled me. Whenever she travelled, she’d always have something to bring back for us. And that’s just who she was - this generous and thoughtful person.

As I grew older, she became the cool aunt. My career mentor, my personal wine expert, but also someone who didn’t judge, and I could share everything with. We always celebrated every milestone. We had our fun times together just aunt and niece, staycation, dinners, drinks. Even from how fondly I speak of her, all my friends have come to know of this cool aunt - and those who’ve met her all loved chatting with her.

So it’s no surprise that we always joked about how we had to book her time in advance because she was the social butterfly with plans every weekend. Deep down though, I admired the life she had built for herself, the love and warmth she gives to everyone around her - which explains why she has so many friends.

She showed me the meaning of chasing your dreams, living your life on your own terms.

I’ve always striven to make her proud. But more importantly, she’s made me the proudest niece for everything she’s achieved in life.  Her distinction in her masters just truly topped it all off.

Masi, i only wish I could spoil you as much as you’ve spoiled me. There’s so much more in the future I wish i could’ve shared with you. I love you.

I had the privilege of reading MK's thesis and several of her essays during her time in Glasgow. Just brilliant. She worked so hard and thoroughly deserved her Distinction. I remember her telling me how proud of herself she was for getting it done, especially during the COVID lockdown and disruption of 2020. Her achievement made her happy and she picked up some great new friends along the way ... of course! ;)